The Lakers shot 32% as a team. While Kobe struggled from the field, he got to the Line 15 times, 9 times in the 4th quarter. Also grabbed 15 rebounds, the most defensive rebounds in the game. Nobody cleaned up his "mess". If his teammates showed up in Game 5, there would be no need for a Game 7.

I won some money on that Finals. Who you kiddin the Refs cleaned up the mess for the Lakers...